BLOG TOUR – The Weight of Rain by Mariah Dietz

Title: The Weight Of RainAuthor: Mariah DietzSeries: The Weight of Rain, #1Release Date: October 27, 2015

One night changed my life—one that I barely remember.

When I close my eyes, my mind paints a picture of his smile and shades the contours of his hands, the deep scar around his bicep.

I’m an artist, yet my hands are unsteady. With his presence, he has unknowingly broken that something inside of me that makes me who I am.

Being around him is like standing in a rainstorm. First the drops tickle my skin, and then they coat me, refusing to be ignored. Finally, they soak into me, reaching parts of me I don’t think anyone has ever touched.

When dreams turn into reality, will the picture in my mind transfer to paper?

Mariah Dietz has once again blown me away with her incredible storytelling. The Weight of Rain was nothing short of addictive. Within seconds of diving into this book I was hooked, pulled into a world so full of raw emotion and genuine characters that I felt as if I belonged there. Mariah’s words took me back to my own college days, filling my head with memories of inimitable friendships, infuriating roommates, big dreams, and fears of an uncertain future. Lauren’s journey made me feel deeply and laugh loudly as I found myself easily enchanted by the colorful cast of characters who were so beautifully flawed and undeniably human. Mariah Dietz writes with a lyrical quality that made the story feel as if it was simply pouring off the pages, seeping into my skin until I was irrevocably part of the journey. Mariah’s exquisite writing continues to leave me in awe, demonstrating a maturity and mastery of language that seems to just keep getting better and better with each new novel.

“You have no idea how much I wanted you to find me.”

One of the strongest parts of this story was the characters. Lauren was written with a voice that was definitive and unique, coming across so clearly in my head as I read her story. Her passion and personality were palpable entities throughout The Weight of Rain and that made this book such an incredible experience. Mariah Dietz created Lauren with a sense of honesty and genuine vulnerability that made her growth over the course of the novel seem monumental. Her evolution as a character is what the new adult genre is all about and my connection to her felt effortless. So as not to spoil Lauren’s discovery of her mystery man’s identity, I won’t use his name, but Mariah Dietz definitely knew what she was doing with him. He was charming and kind with an alpha edge that made him simply irresistible. He has definitely been added to the top of my list of swoon-worthy book boyfriends. Their immediate connection and undeniable chemistry made for some serious heat that had me grinning and furiously flipping pages for more of this unforgettable couple.

“You couldn’t ask me to give up my art any easier than you could ask me to stop breathing. The end result would be the same.”

Once she was reunited with her mystery man, Lauren’s relationship with him was complicated and at times incredibly frustrating. Their determination to deny what they shared proved to be entirely necessary for their story. That intense build-up created a tension that I felt on a very basic level, making their moment of surrender feel so much sweeter. Mariah Dietz made the right choice in choosing to fan the flames between them for a while, resulting in easy banter and electric exchanges that ultimately defined this couple. In addition to the phenomenal love story, Mariah Dietz also managed to tackle some of the harsh realities of young society. She handled these tough topics with a grace and sensitivity that I couldn’t help but admire. Mercedes was the perfect vehicle for her heartfelt message of understanding and acceptance, reminding readers that “Being different doesn’t make you a freak, it makes you brave.” The Weight of Rain is a stunning story of love, acceptance, and self-discovery that moved me and left its imprint upon my heart. This stunning new adult novel is an absolute must read!

With the release of The Weight of Rain, Mariah Dietz is easily becoming one of my top go-to authors. Her writing reels me in and her characters burrow their way into my heart every single time I read a new novel from her. She has this special quality that I can’t put my finger on; it always draws out my emotions, makes me giddy, and causes me to fall in love. As this is Dietz’s first standalone novel, completely separate from her previous characters, I was a little apprehensive about how it would go. However, I clearly had nothing to fret over, because The Weight of Rain was a bundle of perfection wrapped in a bow of heartwarming feels.

“You love the rain. You can’t hate it just because it doesn’t always do what you want or expect. We all have ugly sides.”

From the moment we’re introduced to Lo, I found a kindred spirit in her. There were things she did, things she said, and especially things she felt that immediately resonated within me. She was a woman who lacked self-confidence, due to an unfortunate upbringing, and really just coasted through on her default defense mechanisms and her art. If you could relate to her at all, I’m not sure how you couldn’t fall in love with her. When we’re introduced to the mysterious King, my heart skipped a beat. There were times that he annoyed me so much, but it ended up being one of my favorite parts about him as time went on. I absolutely loved the way that he adored and cared for his family and those closest to him, but especially the two leading ladies in his life – Lo and Mercedes. The highlight for me was found in the banter between the hero and heroine. They loved to hate each other, but it allowed each of them to build defenses to have the other then break through. I just wanted to squeeze them together, bop them over the heads, and then enjoy every minute of the result.

“We don’t get to choose our families, but we do get to decide who we make our families. Sometimes they’re blood, and sometimes it’s something much deeper.”

The story line is one that captivated me and urged me to continue reading. The beginning was a tad slower than I’m used to, but once I got into it, I couldn’t stop. There was something about the artist and the stunt bike rider that I just loved. It’s certainly not a combination I’m used to. Furthermore, the writing was just superb. There is no doubt in my mind that Mariah Dietz continues to grow and get better and better. What struck a chord in me the most was in regards to the description of Lo’s art and the frame of mind that she would fall into. The way Dietz is able to use imagery and just the way she strings words together is an experience. Readers are able to easily fall into the story and see it, not just read it.

“You just need to worry about letting your guard down, because whether by permission or defeat, I’m getting through.”

It comes to no surprise that I really, truly loved The Weight of Rain. It was different and descriptive and a beautiful romance. However, it wasn’t just about a man and a woman falling in love. There were so many different forms of love that were described and taught between the varying characters. It’s a novel that I finished, but then I wanted to flip back to the first back and start all over again. Mariah Dietz has earned a fan in me with her words. I know that she will be going places, and I will most definitely be here for the ride!

“Why are you fidgeting again?” Allie’s scolding is in the form of a whisper but still reaches my ears as a yell because I know by the sharp look in her eye that she’s ready to stab me with a pin if I don’t stop.

“Sorry,” I whisper. I work to ignore an itch on the back of my neck and another on my shoulder. As I think about how much I hate standing still and why I didn’t see King at all today though he always works in the home office on Fridays, I feel several more tickles across my skin that arise because I know I can’t move.

My eyes scan over the large space that we’re filling. There are at least two hundred other students in here, each with a model who, like me, is standing atop a crate, making a select few of us even more uncomfortably tall. Several people look perfectly relaxed as they stand completely still, their shoulders back and chins raised as though they’re already on stage. My eyes trace over each of them, noticing their poise, boldness, and beauty.

“She’s really pretty.”

Allie’s looks up at me with minimal interest. “Who?”

“The girl over there with the dark blond hair.” I nod in the direction of where she’s standing.

“You’re an artist, Lo. She’s definitely pretty, but her confidence is what makes her stand out so much.”

Allie’s comment makes me stare longer at the girl, noticing her eyes are a little too close together, and her forehead too short to be what is believed to be the definition of attractive. It brings me to hate those ignorant facts even more because she is beautiful, and I’m grateful she seems to believe so without meeting the dictated standards.

“It’s because you can’t draw, huh?” My attention drops to Allie as she places another pin along the hemline.

“That’s definitely not helping.”

“When do you think you’ll be able to hold a pencil again? Are your professors freaking out?”

“I don’t know. I’m hoping by the end of this week so I can draw while I’m home for Christmas.”

“Are you excited?”

Her gaze remains fixed on the dress as I raise my eyebrows, her question sinking into my thoughts. “I guess. I don’t know.”

“You don’t talk about your family much.” Allie’s eyes dart to mine for just a fraction of a second, but I’m sure it’s long enough to notice mine working to evade contact.

“There’s not a whole lot to say.”

“What happened to your mom this week?” I feel her briefly glance up again before moving her hands to a new spot where she begins measuring the fabric for the next pin.

“Something came up. I’m sure I’ll see her after the holidays. You know how this time of year is.”

She places a white chalk pencil between her teeth and nods slowly as if debating that it’s the correct response. She frees it again, intently focusing on the fabric, and places a careful mark. “You aren’t mad?”

I shrug, earning a glare from her that I return with a frown. Her lips fall open into a laugh. “You just need to focus on someone and mentally draw them; otherwise, you’re never going to make it out of here tonight, at least not without a thousand pinholes.”

My neck twists as I look around the room again. There are so many people in here. So much beauty, anticipation, desire, and passion: things I seek for my own inspiration, yet when I close my eyes and start sketching lines across my imagination, they don’t make up anyone that’s in here. I think I’d be surprised at this point if they ever do again.

There are times like yesterday when I genuinely wish I hated him. Hell, he’s been a jackass to me enough that I could justifiably say I do, and anyone would be able to understand where I’m coming from. Then again, that would also require having someone to discuss my feelings for and interactions with him.

I wish I hadn’t been exposed to the kinder sides of him.

I wish I didn’t see how he acts around Mercedes to witness his unconditional love for her.

I wish my memories of that night were fading rather than becoming clearer.

Mariah Dietz lives in Eastern Washington with her husband and two sons that are the axis of her crazy and wonderful world.

Mariah grew up in a tiny town outside of Portland, Oregon, where she spent the majority of her time immersed in the pages of books that she both read and created.

She has a love for all things that include her sons, good coffee, books, travel, and dark chocolate. She also has a deep passion for the stories she writes, and hopes readers enjoy the journeys she takes them on, as much as she loves creating them.